Duo in frame to replace suspended Millwall winger at Sunderland

NEIL Harris is set to decide between Fred Onyedinma and Shane Ferguson as the replacement for Jed Wallace against Sunderland on Saturday.

Wallace starts his three-match ban for his red card in the 1-0 defeat to Burton before the international break.

Onyedinma has played mostly up front this season, though he has started just three league games.

Ferguson is back after international duty with Northern Ireland and has the ability to take set-pieces, something that could swing the decision in his favour, especially with Shaun Williams still sidelined.

“It’s another opportunity for somebody. Jed has been outstanding this year, a real plus for us with the goals he has scored, his productivity, the energy he provides,” Harris said. “He’s going to be a big loss.

“Having said that, he’s looked a little jaded in the last couple of games. He was one that the international break came at the right time for, so it’s a shame for him and for us.

“Fred is definitely an option in that position, or we’ve got Shane Ferguson who can come into the midfield area.”

Millwall were furious with the FA’s decision not to overturn Wallace’s sending-off, calling for a meeting with the sport’s governing body and with the EFL over the appeals process.

The club also confirmed on Tuesday that after a re-hearing – based on a “procedural issue” it raised after receiving the written reasons for the original appeal – the red card will not be rescinded.

“Now that the dust has settled there is no debating it wasn’t a red card,” Harris said. “What we have highlighted to the FA and what the FA I think have taken on board is that the process of appeal is wrong.

“The referee made a judgement call and got it wrong, but the panel can’t overturn the decision because of what the referee gave the red card for and the wording of it.

“What I’ll be talking to the FA about is changing the process and look at the challenge for what it is. Forget the wording of the report – it’s not a red card so let’s scrap it. It’s a yellow and then the boy is available. The decision has robbed everyone of seeing Jed Wallace on the pitch.

“Moving forward for us in the future and the whole of the football industry, the process needs to change and we want the FA to help that.”